Continuous cleaning megasonic tank with reduced duty cycle transducers

ABSTRACT

A sonic tank for cleaning substrates is provided. The tank has two or more upwardly angled walls. Arrays of one or more transducers are positioned along at least two of the two or more angled walls. The transducer arrays are alternately energized maintaining nearly 100% substrate surface cleaning at any given time, and 50% duty cycle (or less) for each transducer array. The substrate supports are positioned such that nearly every point along the substrate&#39;s surface is contacted by energy from at least one transducer, and transducer opposing walls are positioned to avoid interfering reflections therefrom.

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/191,058, filed Nov. 11, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,833 which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to apparatuses and methods for cleaning thin discs or substrates, such as semiconductor wafers, compact discs, glass substrates, flat panel displays and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a megasonic tank for cleaning semiconductor wafers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional megasonic cleaning tanks employ a fluid filled tank having substrate supports therein and a source of megasonic energy, (e.g., a transducer) coupled to the fluid for directing sonic energy through the fluid to the surfaces of a substrate or wafer supported therein. During megasonic cleaning, the transducer oscillates between a positive and a negative position at a megasonic rate so as to generate positive and negative pressures within the fluid, and thereby couple megasonic energy to the fluid. As the energy imparted to the fluid oscillates between positive and negative pressure, cavitation bubbles form in the fluid during negative pressure and collapse or shrink during positive pressure. This bubble oscillation and collapse gently cleans the surface of the wafer.

Particles cleaned from the wafer are carried upward via a laminar flow of fluid and flushed into overflow weirs coupled to the top of the cleaning tank. Thus, a supply of clean fluid is continually introduced to the cleaning tank from the bottom of the sidewalls thereof. Cleaning fluid distribution nozzles are positioned along the bottom of the sidewalls to supply various cleaning fluids through the same nozzles or through dedicated sets of nozzles.

Most conventional cleaning tanks position one or more transducers along the bottom of the cleaning tank. Acoustic waves from these transducers reflect from the surface of the cleaning fluid back into transducers, and interference results in reduced power density in the tank and reduced cleaning efficiency. Due to the limited area of the tank's bottom, the number, size, placement and shape of the transducers, fluid inlets, etc., often can not be freely selected for optimal performance.

In practice, megasonic cleaners experience a number of other limitations as well. For instance, transducers with higher power density assure better cleaning efficiency, but generate considerable heat during operation. Accordingly, cooling systems are often used to prevent degradation of adhesive material that attaches a transducer to materials that couple the transducer's acoustic power to the cleaning fluid and to prevent overheating of the power supply that could reduce the life of its electrical components. Such transducer cooling systems, however, undesirably increase the cost and complexity of a megasonic cleaning system.

An alternative approach has been to employ a cycled array of multiplexed transducers in which each transducer is on only 1/Nth of the cycle time, where N is the number of transducers per cleaning vessel. The reduction of duty cycle by a factor of N, which is usually 8 for 8 inch wafer batch processing vessels, reduces transducer temperatures and in some cases eliminates the need for transducer cooling systems. A major problem of this approach is the often unacceptable increase in processing time by a factor of N. The increase in processing time is particularly problematic for single wafer processing, where short processing time is an important requirement.

Another problem experienced by megasonic cleaners is the shadowing of the transducer's acoustic field by the wafer supports on which a wafer is positioned. Because a support must be positioned below the wafer to stabilize the wafer, the supports directly block energy transmitted from transducers positioned below the wafer.

Accordingly, a need exists for an improved sonic cleaning tank that provides high laminar fluid flow yet avoids the interference of incident and reflected waves, maintains short processing times without requiring transducer cooling arrangements, and minimizes shadowing by substrate supports.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a sonic cleaning tank in which transducer arrays face the substrate from a plurality of angles, and are switched on and off alternately to provide cleaning energy across the entire surface of the substrate at any given time, yet enabling each transducer to experience a reduced duty cycle. The tank walls to which the transducers attach are angled upward and the tank is designed such that walls (if any) are positioned opposite a transducer so that energy reflected therefrom does not cross the surface of the substrate being cleaned (i.e., the walls are positioned for non-interfering reflection). Preferably, the lower side walls or the bottom wall of the cleaning tank are angled upward forming two or more upwardly angled walls. Arrays of one or more transducers are positioned along at least two of the two or more upwardly angled walls. Each transducer array is equal to or greater in length than the diameter of the substrate being cleaned so that alternately energizing the two or more transducer arrays provides nearly 100% cleaning across the substrate's surface, yet requires only a 50% (or less depending on the number of transducer arrays) duty cycle for each transducer. Thus, the inventive arrangement is far superior to any known sonic tank-type cleaner.

Not only does the invention provide fast processing times (due to nearly 100% surface cleaning at any given time) and enable transducers and power supplies to last longer (due to reduced duty cycles) without the aid of complex cooling systems, the invention reduces or eliminates both substrate shadowing and interference from energy waves reflected back toward the transducer. Because each transducer array faces the substrate from a unique angle, substrate support shadowing can be eliminated with appropriate substrate support placement. For instance, by employing two side substrate supports and one bottom substrate support, and by positioning the bottom substrate support along the baricenter of the substrate, the bottom support will not shadow the same region of the substrate from the energy of both transducer arrays.

Similarly, because the energy from the two transducer arrays approaches the substrate from opposing directions, the two side supports can be positioned so as not to cause shadowing by blocking energy from the transducer array opposite thereto, e.g., by positioning the side supports along opposite sides of the substrate's horizontal diameter. It will be understood that the portion of the substrate which is contacted by the substrate support will be blocked continuously from transducer energy. Thus, as used herein, shadowing refers to the blocking of transducer energy from those portions of the substrate which are not in contact with a substrate support.

Further, the inventive cleaning tank is advantageously configured such that any transducer energy which travels across the substrate, impacts an opposing sidewall, and reflects therefrom will travel upwardly to the air/liquid interface without crossing the substrate, and without interfering with the cleaning of the substrate's surface (i.e., in a non-interfering manner). This is achieved by employing transducer arrays positioned on the upwardly angled walls, as will be understood with reference to the drawings provided herein. In a further embodiment, rotating the substrate causes each portion of the substrate's beveled edge to pass through the regions of highest intensity cleaning, i.e., the regions closest to a transducer array, for example closest to the first transducer array, and closest to the second transducer array. Because a single rotation causes the substrate to pass through two or more high intensity cleaning regions, superior edge cleaning is achieved.

Accordingly the invention eliminates many of the parts required by conventional sonic cleaning tanks, prevents substrate shadowing, prevents interfering reflection and lengthens transducer life by reducing duty cycle, but does so without increasing processing time. other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of an inventive cleaning tank configured in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevational view of the inventive cleaning tank of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a schematic front elevational view and a schematic side elevational view, respectively, of an inventive cleaning tank 11 configured in accordance with the present invention. The cleaning tank 11 comprises a first upwardly angled bottom wall 13 a and a second upwardly angled bottom wall 13 b, which join at a point P. As shown in FIG. 1 the first and second upwardly angled walls form a 90° angle, however, they may form angles greater or less than 90°. A first transducer array 15 is operatively coupled to the first angled bottom wall 13 a, and a second transducer array 17 is operatively coupled to the second angled bottom wall 13 b. Each transducer array may comprise one or more transducers. As shown in FIG. 1 the first transducer array 15 comprises a first transducer 15 a and a second transducer 15 b, and the second transducer array 17 comprises a first transducer 17 a and a second transducer 17 b.

The cleaning tank 11 is designed for cleaning a semiconductor wafer 19 having a diameter D. Thus, each transducer array 15, 17, extends a length equal to or greater than the diameter D of the semiconductor wafer 19, so that each transducer array cleans nearly 100% of the substrate. As used herein, nearly 100% surface cleaning means cleaning all surfaces not shadowed by or in direct contact with the substrate support. The cleaning tank 11 further comprises a substrate support comprising two side supports 21 a, 21 b and a bottom support 21 c. The side supports 21 a, 21 b are positioned to contact the semiconductor wafer 19 along opposite sides thereof, and are designed to support the wafer with minimal contact. The bottom support 21 c is positioned to contact the wafer along its baricenter, with minimal contact. Each substrate support 21 a-c is small in size so as to produce minimal shadowing.

The cleaning tank 11 further comprises a first wall 23 a positioned to receive direct energy (i.e., unreflected energy) from the first transducer array 15 and to reflect the energy in a non-interfering manner (so as not to interfere with the cleaning of the wafer's surface), and a second wall 23 b positioned to receive direct energy from the second transducer array 17 and to reflect the energy in a non-interfering manner.

A controller 25 is operatively coupled to the first transducer array 15 and to the second transducer array 17 to alternately energize the first transducer array 15 and the second transducer array 17. The controller 25 may also be operatively coupled to any of the side or the bottom substrate supports so as to cause rotation thereof, and to thereby rotate the semiconductor wafer 19.

In operation, the cleaning tank 11 is filled with a cleaning fluid such as deionized water. The semiconductor wafer 19 is placed on the substrate support 21 a-c, and the controller 25 energizes the first transducer array 15. The first transducer array 15 oscillates at a megasonic rate causing bubbles to form in the cleaning fluid. The bubbles clean the surface of the semiconductor wafer 19, as is known in the art (i.e., the first transducer array 15 outputs cleaning energy). The cleaning energy output by the first transducer array 15 travels across the surface of the semiconductor wafer 19, cleaning the surface of the semiconductor wafer 19. Because the first transducer array 15 extends a length at least equal to the diameter D of the semiconductor wafer 19, nearly the entire surface of the semiconductor wafer 19 is cleaned by the energy from the first transducer array 15. Minimal shadowing however, is caused by the side support 21 a and by the bottom support 21 c as represented by the shaded regions S₁ and S₂.

After passing the semiconductor wafer 19 the energy from the first transducer 15 a of the first transducer array 15 impacts the first wall 23 a and is reflected therefrom upward to the air/liquid interface, as represented by the arrows a₁, and a₂. The air/liquid interface reflects the energy back into the tank in a scattered manner, so that the reflected energy does not interfere with substrate cleaning. Similarly, after passing the semiconductor wafer 19, the energy from the second transducer 15 b of the first transducer array 15 travels to the air/liquid interface of the cleaning tank 11 as represented by the arrow a₃.

After a predetermined period of time (e.g., 1 msec. to 2.0 sec.) the controller 25 simultaneously deenergizes the first transducer array 15 and energizes the second transducer array 17. The second transducer array 17 outputs megasonic cleaning energy in the direction of the semiconductor wafer 19. The cleaning energy travels across the surface of the semiconductor wafer 19, thereby cleaning the semiconductor wafer 19's surface. Because the first transducer array 15 extends a length at least equal to the diameter D of the semiconductor wafer 19, nearly the entire surface of the semiconductor wafer 19 is cleaned by the energy from the second transducer array 17. Minimal shadowing however, is caused by the side support 21 b and by the bottom support 21 c, as represented by the shaded regions S₃ and S₄.

After passing the semiconductor wafer 19 the energy from the first transducer 17 a of the second transducer array 17 impacts the second wall 23 b and is reflected therefrom upward to the air/liquid interface of the cleaning tank 11, as represented by the arrows a₄ and a₅. Similarly, after passing the semiconductor wafer 19 the energy from the second transducer 17 b of the second transducer array 17 travels to the air/liquid interface of the cleaning tank 11 as represented by the arrow a₆. As shown by the arrows a₁₋₆ the first and second walls 23 a, 23 b are positioned to receive direct cleaning energy and to reflect it in a non-interfering manner so that the reflected energy does not cross the surface of the semiconductor wafer 19 and interfere with cleaning of the semiconductor wafer 19's surface. The controller 25 continues to alternately energize the first transducer array 15 and the second transducer array 17 every one second for a predetermined period of time that provides adequate cleaning (e.g., 30 to 600 sec).

The controller 25 also may be programmed to rotate the side support 21 a, the side support 21 b and/or the bottom support 21 c during cleaning of the semiconductor wafer 19. Rotation of the substrate support 21 a-c causes the semiconductor wafer 19 to rotate, causing each location along the semiconductor wafer 19's beveled edge to pass through the two highest intensity cleaning regions (the regions closest the first transducer array 15 and closest the second transducer array 17) during each revolution of the semiconductor wafer 19. Accordingly, rotation of the semiconductor wafer 19 provides superior edge cleaning. In order for the substrate support 21 a-c to maintain sufficient contact with the semiconductor substrate 19 to rotate the semiconductor substrate 19, the side substrate supports 21 a, 21 b each are preferably positioned slightly below (e.g., 10° below) the horizontal diameter D of the semiconductor wafer 19. Such positioning will cause some shadowing of the semiconductor wafer 19, however, rotation ensures that each portion of the semiconductor wafer 19 is cleaned.

The foregoing description discloses only the preferred embodiments of the invention, modifications of the above disclosed apparatus and method which fall within the scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For instance, although the tank of FIG. 1 employs two upwardly angled bottom walls, an upwardly angled wall may comprise part of a side wall or an entire side wall. The cleaning tank may have more than two upwardly angled walls, and more than two of the upwardly angled walls may have transducer arrays coupled thereto. Although systems having a greater number of transducer arrays experience lower duty cycles per transducer, two angled bottom walls and two transducer arrays are preferred for minimizing tank size, and for minimizing system cost and complexity. Similarly, more than two side walls may be positioned opposite the transducers. The side walls opposite the transducers may be angled outward and still achieve the desired non-interfering reflection. In fact, embodiments that submerge only half of the substrate may be employed, in which case the side walls may be omitted allowing energy to travel directly to the air/liquid interface. Such embodiments would rotate the substrate to achieve cleaning across the entire surface of the substrate with minimal cleaning fluid consumption. Further, each transducer array may contain any number of transducers. As used herein, a substrate or a wafer includes, but is not limited to a semiconductor wafer with or without material layers thereon, whether patterned or unpatterned.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood that other embodiments may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of cleaning a semiconductor thin disk comprising: providing a fluid containing tank having a plurality of upwardly angled walls, and having a plurality of transducer arrays, each transducer array operatively coupled to one of the upwardly angled walls, and each transducer array extending a length equal to the diameter of a semiconductor thin disk to be cleaned; placing a semiconductor thin disk to be cleaned in the fluid containing tank; alternately energizing individual transducer arrays, thereby providing cleaning energy from the transducer arrays to the surface of the semiconductor thin disk, so as to clean the surface of the semiconductor thin disk.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein alternately energizing individual transducer arrays comprises not shadowing the same region of the thin disk from the energy of all the transducer arrays.
 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising reflecting cleaning energy in a non-interfering manner from walls positioned across the semiconductor thin disk from the transducer array emitting the cleaning energy.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising reflecting cleaning energy in a non-interfering manner from walls positioned across the semiconductor thin disk from the transducer array emitting the cleaning energy.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein placing the semiconductor thin disk in the cleaning fluid tank comprises placing the semiconductor thin disk on a thin disk support positioned so that no portion of the thin disk is continuously shadowed from cleaning energy.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising rotating the semiconductor thin disk during alternately energizing individual transducer arrays.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein alternately energizing individual transducer arrays comprises not shadowing the same region of the thin disk from the energy of all the transducer arrays.
 8. The method of claim 7 wherein alternately energizing individual transducer arrays further comprises energizing the transducer arrays such that only one transducer array is energized at any given time. 